This multi-volume work investigates the foundational theories, methodologies, and subfields that constitute the discipline of political science. Edited by Fred I. Greenstein and Nelson W. Polsby, the text synthesizes contributions from leading scholars to establish a comprehensive framework for political inquiry. It serves as a systematic review of the state of the field, addressing the evolution of political thought and the application of empirical research methods to governance and public policy.

Experts recognize this work as a foundational reference text for graduate-level political science studies. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which provides a rigorous overview of the field's structural components.